Why CD Projekt Chooses Not to Implement Gen AI in Witcher 4

CD Projekt, the renowned Polish game developer, has announced that it won’t be integrating generative AI into the development of The Witcher 4. During a recent briefing with investors, the company’s joint CEO, Michał Nowakowski, shed some light on their decision, noting that intellectual property concerns played a significant role.

Generative AI, while a fascinating technological advancement, relies heavily on a vast array of pre-existing content. This content can be a mix of copyrighted material and other works, some used with permission and some without. Because of this blend, it becomes quite challenging to claim a trademark on any output since it lacks originality.

“As we mentioned last year, we established a team dedicated to exploring AI solutions for our future endeavors, including developing proprietary AI models,” Nowakowski pointed out.

He added, “We have several ongoing research initiatives, but they aren’t necessarily centered around generative AI.”

Nowakowski acknowledged that generative AI is a complex beast, especially when navigating the intricacies of legal IP ownership. This complexity is why they’re steering clear of incorporating generative AI into The Witcher 4 or any upcoming projects for the time being.

Despite the current stance, back in January 2024, CD Projekt did acknowledge potential uses of AI in specific aspects of game development. However, for now, The Witcher 4 remains untouched by generative AI advancements.